isirv is an independent and international scientific professional society promoting the prevention, detection, treatment, and control of influenza and other respiratory virus diseases. The Society has lead responsibility for organizing the largest international conference exclusively devoted to influenza prevention, control and treatment, including seasonal flu and pandemic preparedness, namely the Options for the Control of Influenza conferences, which generally take place every 3 years.
Influenza and acute respiratory virus disease is a field of public health with major international importance. Recent epidemiological events - the occurence of human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in China, the emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in the Middle East, and ongoing outbreaks of highly virulent avian influenza A(H5N1) in several countries continue to highlight the requirement for international collaboration on respiratory virus research and development.
These ongoing events serve as a reminder of the importance of clinical and laboratory research, scientific communication and global collaboration to contribute to the early detection and containment of respiratory virus outbreaks.
A large number of laboratory and clinical scientists, public health professionals, and others around the world are involved in a broad range of activities in this field, including surveillance in man and animals, epidemiology, prevention by vaccines and antivirals, clinical studies, and basic scientific research. Preparing for the next influenza pandemic is a major priority and concern for many countries, as well as preparing for other, as yet unknown, respiratory virus outbreaks. isirv is the first professional scientific body to represent these activities internationally.
isirv undertakes a number of activities, including:
- Provide fora for the exchange of information and international collaboration between all people with a scientific interest in any aspect of influenza and other respiratory viral infections
- Promoting relevant scientific and clinical training and education
- Organizing scientific meetings and workshops on key topics and developing international consensus
- Supporting and developing partnership with other international organisations, such as WHO
- Having lead responsibility for the Options for the Control of Influenza conferences. The most recent was in Cape Town, South Africa in September 2013.
- Providing an international voice advocating for a higher priority for this public health issue, including increased resources for research and public health action
- Promoting the dissemination of information on the impact of acute respiratory virus disease both locally and globally
- Developing and promoting guidelines on prevention and control policies
- Identifying gaps in knowledge
- Promoting and encouraging the publication of research, notably through our journal Influenza and other Respiratory Diseases.